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Thursday, February 28, 2013

I was surprised that these were not as popular as the Pumpkin donuts with my kids, I have come to the conclusion that they are crazy... My husband and I sure liked them. They reminded me of summer nights at an amusement park or the fair hanging out with friends and loving the sugar high... The best thing about these tasty treats is they are not fried, so they aren't quite so bad for you.

*Updated* After making this recipe several more times I had more consistent results doubling the flour for the recipe. So instead of 1 cup flour I have adjusted the recipe to have 2 cups.

I use a Sunbeam Donut Maker. You can also use a donut pan and bake the batter in the oven, or fry in hot oil (omit the baking soda).

Preheat the donut maker or oven. In a mixing bowl combine water, brown sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, eggs, and vanilla and mix until smooth. In a separate bowl combine the flour soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until all the flour is incorporated.

Place a corner of a gallon zip top bag into a glass and fold over the edges. With a large spoon fill with about half of the batter.

Remove from the glass and clip the top so that batter doesn't ooze out as you pipe the batter into the donut molds.

Spray the pan once with non-stick cooking spray. Cut the corner off of the bag and pipe the batter into each of the molds until it is just above the mold ridge. Bake until the green light turns on, and then let continue cooking another full cycle until the green light turns on again. It takes longer than other donuts to cook. So check to make sure they are not doughy in the middle.

Melt the remaining butter and place in a bowl large enough to coat the donuts, and combine the cinnamon and sugar in another small bowl. As the donuts finish cooking remove to a plate and pipe more batter into the molds. One at a time dip each side of a cooked donut in melted butter then in the bowl with cinnamon sugar and coat on each side.

Repeat until all the batter is used. Makes about 20 small donuts. Enjoy!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Apparently I'm on a cornmeal kick... What can I say. There is something about it that is just comforting. These delightful biscuits are a cross between two wonderful staples: cornbread and biscuits. They are fabulous warm served with your favorite jam, honey butter, or even doused in mashed potatoes and gravy. Enjoy.

Cornmeal Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425 F. In a mixing bowl add the cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder. With a pastry blender cut in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the sour cream and milk and stir with a wooden spoon until the liquid is absorbed, there will be flour left in the bottom of the bowl. Lightly dust a work surface with flour and turn out the dough kneading with the palm of your hand 4 or 5 times until all the flour is incorporated. With your hands press into a disk shape at least 1/2" thick. With a 2" cutter or glass cut as many biscuits as you can. Place on a stone or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Gently press out the dough again and repeat until remaining dough is used. Bake 18-22 minutes until golden brown and no longer doughy in the middle.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Today I was asked about my Chore Chart, so here it is. No two families are the same so feel free to use this as a guideline and change it to work for you or look for something else that will work better. There are tons of great ideas on Pinterest and the internet to help get you going...

The topic: Chores and teaching Kids Responsibility

As Mom's we want the best for our kids. We want them to have fabulous opportunities to grow into amazing individuals with so much to offer the world when they become adults. I want my kids to be smart, independent, responsible, reliable, honest, faithful, and still know how to have a good time. I could add and add and add to my list of things I hope for my kids but ultimately I want them to grow up to be who they want to be. Hopefully the things they learn while they are still with me will rub off a little and hopefully make them a good person not a crazy one...

We have used varying charts over the years and this one is a combination of several different ones. For some reason this version seems to be the one that works for us. Check it out and change/adapt it to what will work for you and your family.

The great thing about this is that it has taken out the nagging and the arguing. I hated constantly reminding the kids to get ready at night or before the bus. To pick clothes up off the floor or to put their shoes away. It was ridiculous, this way if they don't do what they are supposed to do, they just pay me to do it for them. So as I pick up dirty clothes, there's 10 cents for me, as I put away backpacks, another 10 cents for me and so on and so forth. And it doesn't take too long for them to figure out they can be earning that money instead of letting you keep it.

When developing this chart I had a few goals in mind. I wanted the kids to take ownership of the things that they are in charge of: getting ready for the day, practicing (piano), reading, and doing their homework. If they do what they are supposed to they earn 10 cents per square = $2 a week. If they miss the bus, they don't get to mark off their square and they don't get that dime. I am also not in charge of marking off their squares, if they don't do it, it's not my responsibility and they only get paid for what they do. Now just to set the record, they do not get paid for something they didn't do, I make sure they are being honest, they do not get rewarded for lying.

Tokens: Tokens are awarded for additional help, listening when asked to do something, for doing well at school, for being a great friend and brother, or to reward other good behavior. They can be redeemed for 5 cents each, 20 = a toy from the prize box (purchased from the dollar store), and 2 = 30 min. TV and/or video game time. If there are no tokens then the electronics don't come on, but not to worry, there is plenty to do to earn some!

I used pictures because until this year my youngest son wasn't reading yet, but I've left them up even though he can read now. I guess I'm hoping the picture might make it seem more fun, and really it is the youngest who is always searching to earn more tokens.

I also pay for grades and reading. If my kids read above and beyond what they are asked they get tokens! I give hard cash for report cards. I'm sure my pay rate will change as the kids get older but for now I pay $1 per A if they get all A's. My oldest just earned $10 on his last report card. If they have 2 or more grades that aren't A's they earn $0.25 cents for everything above a B. I don't pay for C's. You have to try and work to get paid.

On pay day, before my kids stash away their earnings 10% automatically goes into a tithing envelope. 20% goes into a locked savings bank which gets emptied into their real bank savings account periodically which I match and double the interest. And everything else they get to keep to save or to spend on what they want.

If they want a new toy, they can save up and get it. I do not buy them things at the store. They get gifts for birthday's and holiday's but if they want to get anything else, they can work towards it. If they buy something and it breaks, that stinks, I remember when I bought something that broke right after I bought it. It's frustrating isn't it? If they forgot their money or don't have enough (including tax and or shipping), remind them to bring their wallet or save up so they can get it next time. Sorry. This has really been great for my boys. I love watching them at the store figure out how much they can get with what they have and if it is worth the amount of money or not.

TV, games, and the computer is not allowed in the morning. Period, no exceptions. Video games are only allowed on Wednesdays (Early release) after homework is done, and on the weekends. And the TV can only be turned on if and when all homework is done for the day. During sports seasons there are several days a week it never turns on, and I was surprised that the kids really didn't miss it. Don't get me wrong, they loved when they did get to watch, but they were happy, funny kids even without the TV. Who'd have thought?...

My boys are really into Pokemon so we printed off chore charts for each of them from the following link there are several different options to choose from. I printed out a chart for each of my kids and put it in a plastic page protector hung up on the fridge with magnets and we use a white board marker to mark them off each week.

This has really helped behavior and the peace level in my house. If you don't have a system in place yet, I hope this got the creative juices flowing to get one started. Treat your household like a business. Everyone has a job to help make it work. Mom should not be the only one working...

There are several great resources out there but here are a couple ones I utilize and really like.

For Bookclub this morning we are discussing the book Anthem. Since the book celebrates the creativity of the human mind and individuality I thought it would be fun to make a new recipe. I bought some limes yesterday and I love coconut, so I thought this would be a fun combination to try out. It is a fresh flavor with just a hint of the citrus and a fun new twist for breakfast scones especially on a cold morning.

In a Mixing bowl zest half of zest of one lime reserve the rest in a small mixing bowl for the glaze. With half of the zest combine with 1/4 cup of sugar pressing with the back of a spoon to release the oils and then stir to combine.

Add the flour, salt, and baking powder and stir. With a pastry blender or fork cut in the coconut oil until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the shredded coconut and stir.

Add the lime juice, milk, and egg and stir just until you cannot see liquid anymore. There will still be a lot of flour left in the bottom of your bowl.

Turn out the dough onto a flat work surface and knead with the palm of your hand about 8-10 times until the dough is soft and all the flour is incorporated.

With your hands shape into a 6" disk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar if desired.

With a knife cut into 8 wedges.

Arrange on a stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2" apart. Bake for 15 minutes or until starting to brown and no longer doughy.

Remove to a cooling rack and cool completely.

Mix the powdered sugar, zest, and lime juice, and water with a small whisk and drizzle over cooled scones.

Monday, February 18, 2013

These pancakes are a little more intensive than an ordinary pancake recipe but these aren't just ordinary pancakes. They have a smooth and sweet cornmeal flavor that is delightful. If my husband were to choose what pancakes to make, these would be it every time. They are worth the extra 15 minutes.

Friday, February 15, 2013

I love apples. I love them raw, I loved them baked, I love them by themselves, and paired with meat. I've had the fried apples from The Cracker Barrel and from my favorite Barbecue joint but they are oozing with butter and syrup. When I make them at home they have all the great flavor without so much of the not so good for you stuff... I like to make these to serve with pork chops or turkey, or even a BBQ sandwich. Don't bother putting them on the side just spoon them right on top!

Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Glazed Apples

Heat a 10" skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. I usually just slice the apples directly into the pan. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and stir. Cook about 10 minutes stirring occasionally until the apples are soft and each piece is coated with the brown sugar cinnamon. (Don't leave unattended for an extended period of time, the sugar will burn). Transfer to a bowl and serve warm.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

This is my oldest son's very favorite dinner. If I ask what he want's for dinner. 9 out of 10 times it will be "Turkey Balls." I cannot change the name since that is what they are lovingly referred to at my house. This dinner is nothing super special, in fact these turkey balls are really easy to make. But my family loves them so that's good enough for me. Plus this is something that's ready in less than 30 minutes so that makes it even better!

Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. In a mixing bowl add the turkey, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic and mix with a large wooden spoon. Add in the egg and mix well until everything is evenly incorporated.

Drizzle the olive oil in the skillet and using a large scoop transfer the meat in 2" balls to the skillet. Allow to brown and then flip.

Meanwhile make the sauce. In a small mixing bowl add the soy sauce, cornstarch, honey, vinegar, and ground pepper. Whisk well until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. Add the water and the bouillon (or chicken broth) and whisk to combine.

Reduce the heat on your skillet to medium and pour in the sauce all at once. Stir to help any little bits of meat stuck to the bottom to come off. Turn each meatball so it is coated in sauce. Place the lid on your skillet and cook 3-5 minutes. Turn the meatballs again and stir the sauce and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the turkey is completely cooked and the sauce is thickened. Serve over rice.

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About Me

I am the Mom of two boys and the owner and creator of Evolve (March 2017). I am passionate about development, motivation, and change. I am dedicated and hard-working so that I can provide for my family. My goal in life is to share my talents with others, help others reach their potential, and to be a positive influence to those around me